December 9, 1996


ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 814

(First Reprint)



To the General Assembly:

    Pursuant to Article V, Section I, Paragraph 14 of the New Jersey Constitution, I am returning Assembly Bill No. 814 (First Reprint) without my approval.

    This bill would provide for the appropriation of $50,000 in General Fund monies to the Department of Environmental Protection for the restoration of Wesley Lake, located in Asbury Park and Ocean Grove, Monmouth County. While I commend the sponsors for their efforts on this bill and support the commitment of State monies to assist the municipalities of Asbury Park and Ocean Grove with their lake restoration project, I must object to the source and means of fiscal assistance authorized by this bill.

    On November 6, 1996, the voters approved the “Port of New Jersey Revitalization, Dredging, Environmental Cleanup, Lake Restoration, and Delaware Bay Area Economic Development Bond Act of 1996.” This act authorizes the issuance of $5 million in general obligation bonds for the specific purposes addressed by this supplemental appropriation, i.e., grants to municipalities for financing the cost of lake restoration projects.

    In light of the enactment of a new bond issue which provides financial assistance from the State to municipalities for lake restoration projects, such as Wesley Lake, I have determined to veto Assembly Bill No. 814 (First Reprint). I am further directing the Department of Environmental Protection to take


 

under consideration the Wesley Lake project upon the filing of an application and to timely ascertain its eligibility for financing under this new bond issue.

    Accordingly, I herewith return Assembly Bill No. 814 (First Reprint) without my approval.


                                  Respectfully,

 

                                  /s/ Christine Todd Whitman

 

                                  Governor

 

 

     [seal]

 

 

Attest:

 

/s/ Michael P. Torpey

 

Chief Counsel to the Governor